SIGT HIP HOP STOP W/RON GRANT – Nicki Minaj’s ABC Family Show, Jay Z’s TIDAL Concert, Nas honored by Harvard, New Game track featuring Kendrick Lamar, New Eminem video

by Ron Grant • October 2, 2015

Seven whole days have once again come and gone in the world of Hip Hop. Let’s take a look at some of the most important and intriguing stories for the week of September 28.

NICKI MINAJ TO PRODUCE, STAR IN NEW ABC FAMILY SHOW

We knew it was coming sooner or later. Nicki is a music personality that’s made for just about any screen you can fit her on. And now it’s been confirmed that an ABC Family autobiographical series is in the works. Based on her life as a teen in Queens, N.Y., the show is yet to be titled. Still, you have to love the way Ms. Minaj is flexing her entrepreneurial muscles and expanding her brand in so many ways. Much respect. And as a bonus, here’s a real life example of what we might just see.

TIDAL REACHES 1 MILLION — USERS, ANNOUNCES “TIDAL X: 10/20” CONCERT

Jay Z, Beyonce, Prince, TIP, Nicki Minaj, Damian Marley, The Roots and Usher all on one concert bill? Sure, sign us up! Hov recently announced on Twitter a concert at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn to commemorate his streaming music service Tidal reaching 1,000,000 users. More importantly, the benefit concert’s proceeds will go towards supporting the New World Foundation. Tickets go on sale to the public this Friday, October 2. New Yorkers have all the luck. Check out the story here.

NAS HONORED BY HARVARD UNIVERSITY

The historic educational and cultural accolades just keep coming for Nas. In addition to becoming an investor in the website RapGenius.com and having an educational fellowship named after him, the Queens emcee was honored this week with the W.E.B. DuBois Award from the prestigious university. The award is given for contributions to culture, the arts and human rights and has also been bestowed upon the likes of Muhammad Ali and former Attorney General Eric Holder. Some pretty exclusive company that Nas is now in. Kudos.

GAME: “ON ME” FEAT. KENDRICK LAMAR

Known more for his reality show exploits at the current moment, Game is still, at his core, a West Coast emcee. And dropping a new heater with one of the young lions of Hip Hop is completely in his best interest right now. “On Me” is reportedly a single from Game’s double album that was announced not too long ago. Featuring raspy, rapid-fire lyrics from Kendrick and a cleverly melded Erykah Badu sample, it’s proof that Game is still ready to claim a seat at the table of Hip Hop relevance.

EMINEM: “PHENOMENAL” SONG, SHORT FILM

Marshall seems to be getting his Jason Bourne on in his latest video/short film in support of the film Southpaw with “Phenomenal.” Filled to the brim with cameos, the video was originally available exclusively on Apple Music but can now be found on VEVO. How out cold would it be to see a feature length film featuring Em in the hero role? We can only hope.

Weekly Hip Hop Stop by Ron Grant. Check out his Urban Music News Blog on Social and Cultural Affairs, http://urbanemurge.com/.